The Book of the Revelation is the book of the Crowned and Coming Christ. The revelation was given to our Lord Jesus that He might show His servants that which soon is to have its fulfilment. For He IS coming. And He is coming SHORTLY. Thus He would have us be prepared in heart to receive Him. He would have us LIKE UNTO MEN awaiting their master (see Luke 12:36).

Special blessing is attached to the one who reads the book, and to those who hear its words and keep those things written within its pages (chap. 1:3).

"READ!"…"HEAR!"…"KEEP!"…"The time is at hand."

The enemy of God, and of us, "that old serpent, the devil and Satan," who deceives the whole world, would keep us from reading any portion of the Word of God, and perhaps from reading this part of that Word particularly, because it presents his full and final overthrow, his dire and dreadful doom, and that of those who are deceived and duped by him. It is well therefore for every believer to become conversant with the truths of the book. Some of its symbols may not be understood, and some parts of the writing may appear difficult of interpretation, but the careful consideration of its pages will have a separating effect as one sees what is to come suddenly and swiftly upon the world, where our Lord was crucified and where He is rejected by many today. The Holy Spirit brings the Lord Jesus before us in chapter 1:S in some of His many glories-"The Faithful Witness, the First Begotten of the dead, the Prince of the kings of the earth"-in the past, in the present, in the future.

As "The Faithful Witness," He glorified God in all His way, ever testifying for the truth. Before Pontius Pilate He witnessed a good confession. How different has been the Church! It has proved itself to be an unfaithful witness.

As "The First Begotten of the dead," Christ has come forth from the grave victorious. He is risen and glorified. He has been declared Son of God with power by resurrection of the dead. Thus it is He is known by Christians who are linked in life with Him risen.

As "The Prince of the kings of the earth," He will come to reign. Chapter 19 presents Him thus, "King of kings and Lord of lords." He issues forth to put down all authority and power, to be the "One Lord and His name one."

Suddenly as His glories are being unfolded there is

AN INTERRUPTION

A choir bursts forth in the praise of the Coming One. He is more to them than has been portrayed in the verses spoken of-He is the Eternal Lover of their souls. He is their Saviour and Blesser. So their praises declare as they cry, "Unto Him that loved us (loves us, we should read it) and has washed us (or, loosed us) from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests unto God and His Father, to Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen."

Loved by Him His people have been loosed by Him. Their sins had bound them. Until their sins were atoned for they could not be freed for the worship of His God and His Father. And so it was that He gave His life. His precious blood was shed, that they might be redeemed to God, and be able to sound His Father's praises.

Frequently this anthem is divided in the thoughts of Christians, as though it finished at the fifth verse. This would leave us with the loosing, as though it was our salvation from judgment only which our Lord had before Him in His holy sufferings. This is to the saint's loss. The Lord Jesus was here for the Father's glory and praise. With this in view He lived. With this in view He died. He has won by His redemption work a company of worshipers for His Father. Wonderful is the grace which has numbered us who now believe among them. Well may we join in the praise and cry, "To Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen."

We worship because of Him thus. The next verse tells of many who will wail because of Him. "Behold, He cometh with clouds, and every eye shall see Him, and they also which pierced Him:and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of Him. Even so, Amen."

Solemn words indeed, yet to be made good in their season.

At the close of the book another interruption is described. The Lord is presenting Himself before the hearts of His own, as He says:"I Jesus have sent Mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David and the Bright Morning Star."

"I Jesus." How precious is that Name! It tells of His glory and of His grace. He is Jehovah. He is the Saviour. His majesty and His mercy are combined. His Lordship and His love are revealed.

"The Root and the Offspring of David" is what He is for Israel, and He will give that people deliverance and blessing in a near future day.

"The Bright and Morning Star" is for His Church. As the Morning Star He rises before He appears as "Sun of Righteousness." Then He will shine forth with healing in His wings for the blessing of a wide creation (Mal. 3). Today He rises in the hearts of His own before the dawning of the day. And "Bright" He is, amid the darkness of the night of His rejection.

As He thus unfolds something of His beauty and blessedness, "the Spirit and the Bride" break in with the cry, "Come." It is an interruption of longing desire and of welcome to the Absent One. The Holy Spirit is a stranger here, and He leads the Bride to the spirit of strangership also. But it is Himself, Jesus, presented before the heart which leads to the cry, "Come!"

Verse 20 gives the Lord's reply, "Yea, I come," and He adds, "quickly." Gladly we answer, "Yea! Come, Lord Jesus!"

Happy interruptions these! Holy praise and hearty longing are expressed by glad hearts. And may we not say that His heart, the heart of Him who loves His church and comes for it, is gladdened as He hears the Outpouring of the affections of His own. Inglis Fleming